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Oreste Basso: a life spent turning the world into a family

Apr 14, 2013

On the night of 14 April, Oreste Basso left this world. He was among the first focolarini who were with Chiara Lubich in the development and spread of the Focolare Movement. We remember his cheeky smile and the perpetual twinkle in his eyes, but most of all we remember the warmth of his welcome.

A sudden and unexpected decline in his health over the last few days led to his death a half an hour after midnight. His life, the richness of his humanity and his smile are imprinted upon the hearts of thousands of persons he encouraged in the long years he spent in the service of God and the ideal of unity, which he got to know in his youth in Milan.

We will write more of his life story at a later date. In the meantime, those who wish to honour him may do so in the chapel of the International Centre of the Focolare Movement, in Rocca di Papa, where from 2 o’clock this afternoon (Italian time) he will be lying in state.

The funeral will be tomorrow, 15 April, at 15:00, at the Focolare International Centre in Rocca di Papa.

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